At Synod Assembly, we passed a Resolution on Accompanying Immigrants that outlined actions that the Synod and Synod staff would take in support of immigrants and immigrant communities, including efforts to raise funds for these efforts. And as we’ve seen over the last weeks, the targeting of our immigrant neighbors is only increasing. Our faith and our church’s social teaching call us to respond, to stand with and support our neighbors, and to step boldly into this moment.
The Synod’s Immigration Task Force, co-chaired by Pastor Hierald Osorto and Pastor Rhonda Hlavinka, has been working hard and has developed a Welcome Fund to provide direct financial support to immigrant communities in our Synod. With generous contributions from St. Paul’s Home (a sister organization of San Pablo-St. Paul’s), and matching dollars from the Synod’s Resurrection Fund, we are thrilled to get started with $75,000. We know that the support needed in this moment is significant, and you and your congregation are invited to contribute to this fund. You can send checks to the Minneapolis Area Synod and include Welcome Fund in the designation. The Immigration Task Force will launch a fuller fundraising campaign in February, with more information to come. We will share information about how to apply for these funds soon.
In this season of Advent, we pray that this Welcome Fund can be part of our preparation for the Christ Child, for the inbreaking of God’s justice, and a world made new.